title: Nitric oxide synthase in the caudal neurosecretory system of the teleost Oreochromis niloticus.
abstract: This study provides evidence that, within the caudal neurosecretory system of the teleost Oreochromis niloticus, neurons express nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-like molecules. The presence of NOS-like molecules was demonstrated by means of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPHd) staining and NOS immunohistochemistry. In the caudal spinal cord, NOS-positive neurosecretory cell bodies and neurosecretory fibers were observed. In addition, NOS-positive structures were found in the urophysis which correspond to neurosecretory axon terminals. Cellular co-localization of NOS and ovine corticotropin-releasing factor (oCRF) immunoreactivities confirmed that the NOS-positive structures belong to the caudal neurosecretory system. The present results suggest that NO may participate in the caudal neuroendocrine function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Human Biology, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. cioni@axrma.uniroma1.it
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cioni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pepe
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Vito
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colasanti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000201:enzymology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000201:enzymology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*; D017210:Tilapia / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase